COMMON ACRONYMS
AA- Alcoholics Anonymous
ABA- American Bar Association
ACE- Automated Construction Estimating
AD- Associate Director
ADAMS- Automated Disaster Assistance Management System
ALE- Additional Living Expense
AOA- Administration on Aging
ARC- American Red Cross
ASCS- Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
ASD- Acute Stress Disorder
BFC- Bill for Collection
CBRNE- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives
CC- Crisis Counseling
CCP- Crisis Counseling Program
CDC- Centers for Disease Control
CERT- Community Emergency Response Team
CFR- Code of Federal Regulations
CISD- Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
CISM- Critical Incident Stress Management
CMHC- Community Mental Health Center
CMHS- Center for Mental Health Services
CPI- Consumer Price Index
CSA- Core Service Agency
CSAT- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
DAE- Disaster Assistance Employee
DARIS- Disaster Automated Reporting and Information System
DD- Damaged Dwelling
DDC- Disaster District Chairman
DEM- Division of Emergency Management
DFC- Disaster Finance Center
DFO- Disaster Field Office
DH- Disaster Housing
DHAP- Disaster Housing Assistance Program
DHHS- Department of Health and Human Services
DLS- Disaster Legal Services
DHS- Department of Homeland Security
DLSP- Disaster Legal Services Program
DMH- Disaster Mental Health
DOB- Duplication of Benefits
DOL- Department of Labor
DPS- Department of Public Safety
DPBRO- Disaster Preparedness and Business Recovery Office
DRC- Disaster Recovery Center
DRM- Disaster Recovery Manager
DTAC- Disaster Technical Assistance Center
DUA- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
DV- Disaster Victim
EA- Environmental Assessment
EMHTSSB- Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch
EMI- Emergency Management Institute
EMS- Emergency Medical Services
EOC- Emergency Operations Center
EOP- Emergency Operating Procedure
ERT- Emergency Response Team
ESDRB- Emergency Services and Disaster Relief Branch
ESF- Emergency Support Function
EST- Emergency Support Team
FCO- Federal Coordinating Officer
FEMA- Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHBM- Flood Hazard Boundary Map
FIRM- Flood Insurance Rate Map
FMHA- Farmers Home Administration
FRP- Federal Response Plan
FSR- Final Statistical Report
FY- Fiscal Year
GAR- Governor's Authorized Representative
GCO- Grant Coordinating Officer
HAZMAT- Hazardous Materials
HHS- Health and Human Services
HR- Home Repairs
HS- Human Services
HSO- Human Services Officer
IA- Individual Assistance
ICS- Incident Command System
IFG- Individual and Family Grant Program
IFMIS- Integrated Financial Management Information System
IMS- Information Management Systems
IS- Infrastructure Support
ISP- Immediate Services Program
KAHBH- Kansas All-Hazards Behavioral Health Program
KDEM- Kansas Department of Emergency Management (a.k.a., KEMA)
LAN- Local Area Network
LEDRS- Livestock Emergency Disease Response System
MOA or MOU- Memorandum of Agreement OR Memorandum of Understanding
MRAP- Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program
NACCT- National Advisory Committee on Children and Terrorism
NASMHPD- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
NEMIS- National Emergency Management Information System
NEPA- National Environmental Policy Act
NFIP- National Flood Insurance Program
NFIRA- National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994
NGO- Non-Governmental Organization
NIMS - National Incident Management System
NOGA- Notice of Grant Award
Non-PDD- Non-Presidentially Declared Disasters
NPS- National Pharmaceutical Stockpile
NPSC- National Processing Service Center
NTC- National Teleregistration Center
NVOAD- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters
OEM- Office of Emergency Management
OEP- Office of Emergency Preparedness
OFA- Other Federal Agencies
OFM- Office of Financial Management
OGC- Office of General Counsel
OMB- Office of Management and Budget
OSD- Operations Support Division
OVC- Office for Victims of Crimes
PA- Public Assistance
PDA- Preliminary Damage Assessment
PDD- Presidentially Declared Disaster
PFT- Permanent Full Time Employee
PIO- Public Information Officer
PO- Project Officer
PP- Personal Property
PTSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
QC- Quality Control
RAA- Request for Allocation Advice
RAU- Rapid Assessment Unit
RD- Regional Director
ROC- Regional Operations Center
RP- Real Property
RSP- Regular Services Program
SAMHSA- Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
SAP- State Administration Plan
SBA- Small Business Administration
SCO- State Coordinating Officer
SEMC- State Emergency Management Council
SERT- State Emergency Response Team
SFHA- Special Flood Hazard Area
SMHA- State Mental Health Authority
SMP- Stress Management Program
SOC- State Operations Center
SOP- Standard Operating Procedure
SSA- Social Security Administration
SSI- Supplemental Security Income
UNC- Unmet Needs Committee
USDA- United States Department of Agriculture
VA- Veterans Administration
VOAD- Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters
WHO- World Health Organization
WMD- Weapons of Mass Destruction
DEFINITIONS
All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning - A step-by-step comprehensive planning
approach to emergency management developed and recommended by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address risk-based, all-hazard emergency
operations planning.
American Red Cross (ARC) - The American Red Cross is a congressionally chartered,
humanitarian organization, led by crisis workers, that provides relief to victims of
disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) – Acute Stress Disorder, or ASD, is a psychological
diagnosis used to explain extreme reactions to stress above what is often expected as a
normal response to disaster.
CBRNE - Acronym for weapons of mass destruction: Chemical, Biological, radiological,
Nuclear and high-yield explosives.
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) - Division of SAMHSA; a federal agency
contained within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This organization is mandated to
adopt a leadership role in mental health services delivery and policy development.
Further, CMHS has a specific interest in Disaster Mental Health and has created a
branch specifically for this focus. CMHS disaster mental health programs are conducted
by the Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch of the Federal
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). In partnership with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), this Branch of CMHS is responsible for assessing,
promoting, and enhancing the resilience of Americans in times of crisis. The Branch
disseminates mental health information about disasters and traumatic events in print and
on the Internet.
CSAT (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment) – The Center for Substance Abuse
Treatment (CSAT) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), was
congressionally mandated to expand the availability of effective treatment and recovery
services for alcohol and drug problems.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT; pronounced ‘sert’) – The
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is collection of individuals who are
trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, search and rescue, team
organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT members can assist others in their
neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not
immediately available to help.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)-Debriefing for emergency responders. CISD
is a technique that is specifically designed to assist others in dealing with the physical or
psychological symptoms that are generally associated with trauma exposure. Debriefing,
ideally conducted near the site of the event, allows those involved with the incident to
process the event and reflect on its impact. This is a central component of Critical
Incident Stress Management. See CISM.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) - Includes individual counseling, CISD,
education and follow-up. CISM is an intervention protocol, consisting of several
elements, which were developed specifically for dealing with traumatic events. This
protocol is a formal, highly structured process for helping those involved in a traumatic
event to share their experiences, vent emotions, learn about stress reactions and
symptoms and receive referrals for further help if required.
Crisis Counseling (CC) – CC refers to the short term intervention that is focused upon
assisting disaster survivors in understanding their current situation and reactions,
mitigating additional stress, assisting survivors in reviewing their options, promoting the
use of or development of coping strategies, providing emotional support, and
encouraging linkages with other individuals and agencies who may help survivors
recover to their pre-disaster level of functioning
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) – The Crisis Counseling
Training and Assistance Program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act. The purpose of the CCP is to support short term
interventions with individuals and groups experiencing psychological sequelae to large
scale disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) implements the
CCP as a supplemental assistance program available to the United States and its
Territories. FEMA counseling model used in presidential declared disasters to counsel
survivors of the event.
Department of Public Safety - Parent organization of DEM (Division of Emergency
Management).
Disaster Cycle - The disaster life cycle describes the process through which emergency
managers prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond to them when they occur,
help people and institutions recover from them, mitigate their effects, reduce the risk of
loss, and prevent disasters such as fires from occurring.
Disaster District Chairman - DPS officer who will lead local response to an
incident/disaster.
Disaster Field Office - FEMA disaster operations headquarters.
Disaster Mental Health Services - Brief stress management and mental health
services designed to assist individuals and families return to normal functioning.
Disaster Preparedness and Business Recovery Committee - Ensures continuity of
operations.
Disaster Recovery Center - On-site group of federal and state agencies that provide
direct assistance to disaster applicants, established by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency after a disaster to provide information and assistance to disaster
survivors.
Division of Emergency Management - Governor's Division of Emergency Management
responsible for mitigation, response and recovery efforts for the state
Emergency – As defined by the Stafford Act an "Emergency" means any occasion or
instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed
to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect
property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in
any part of the United States.
Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch (EMHTSSB)
within
SAMHSA/CMHS - Through an interagency agreement with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), via the
Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch (EMHTSSB), supports
immediate, short-term crisis counseling, and ongoing support for emotional recovery for
the victims of disasters. Natural and terrorist disasters may result in human trauma
requiring specialized attention. In the wake of such disasters, the need for crisis
counseling is just as important as cleaning up debris and reconstructing property.
Qualifying Federal disasters include severe storms, forest fires, and incidents of mass
criminal victimization. Support is provided in the form of grants to States for counseling
outreach within Federal disaster areas and for the delivery of training to crisis counselors
to provide crisis assistance after Federal relief workers return home. The program is
known as the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) and is funded
by (FEMA). On behalf of FEMA, CMHS provides technical assistance, program guidance
and oversight. The services most frequently funded by CCP grants are: crisis
counseling, education, and referral to appropriate agencies or mental health
professionals. After the declaration of a disaster, States determine the need for crisis
counseling services by compiling disaster data and conducting a mental health needs
assessment of the disaster area. The State Mental Health Authorities (SMHA) must
assess key indicators of disaster stress and determine the geographic, social, cultural,
ethnic, and vulnerable populations for whom services should be provided. If existing
State and local resources cannot meet the needs of those populations, the SMHA may
choose to apply for a Crisis Counseling grant. Only a State or Federally-recognized
Indian Tribe may apply for a CCP grant. States receiving these grants typically distribute
the Federal funds to local mental health providers in order to hire additional staff to
perform outreach and education on typical stress reactions and methods of reducing
stress. Supplemental funding for crisis counseling grants is available to SMHAs through
two grant mechanisms: (1) the Immediate Services Program (ISP) which provides funds
for up to sixty days of services immediately following a disaster declaration; and (2) the
Regular Services Program (RSP), which provides funds for up to nine months following
a disaster declaration. While CMHS provides some technical assistance to Immediate
Service Programs, the monitoring and distribution of funds remains the responsibility of
FEMA. For the RSP, FEMA has State Mental Health Authorities’ Response to Terrorism
69 designated CMHS as the monitoring authority; FEMA transfers funds to CMHS, which
transfers the funds to the States. CMHS collaborates with FEMA to train State mental
health staff to develop crisis counseling training and preparedness efforts in their States.
Through an annual training, CMHS provides updates on the design and implementation
of its crisis counseling projects and promotes State-to-State information exchange.
CMHS also has developed numerous publications on working with, and supporting,
disaster victims. All are available through SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information
Center, by calling 1-800-789-2647, (TDD) 1-866-889-2647. For more information
contact: EMHTSSB/CMHS/SAMHSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room
17C-20, Rockville, MD, 20857, 301-443-4735 (p) 301-443-8040 (f)
www.mentalhealth.org
EOC (Emergency Operations Center) – A central location where government at any
level can provide interagency coordination and executive decision-making for managing
response and recovery. A site designated to lead and control a disaster situation.
EOP (Emergency Operations Plan) – A document delineating roles and responsibilities
of individuals and organizations for carrying out specific actions at projected times in an
emergency situation. It describes lines of authority and organizational relationships and
identifies steps to address mitigation concerns during response and recovery activities.
Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) - FEMA officer who is in charge of the disaster
field office and federal response/recovery efforts
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA is a federal agency
affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that reports to the President.
FEMA is also the lead federal agency for disaster/emergency management. However,
FEMA cannot direct a state or its agencies.
First Responders - Traditionally defined as Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical
Services (EMS).
Governor's Authorized Representative (GAR) - During a disaster will be the State
Coordinating Officer who will be working out of the disaster field office
Hazard – Any situation with the potential for causing damage to people, property or the
environment.
HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) – This refers to substances that are flammable,
corrosive, reactive or toxic chemical, infectious biological (etiological) agent, or
radioactive material. A hazardous material can be either a material intended for use or a
waste intended to be treated or disposed of.
Hazard Mitigation Services - Funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to
public and private property. In the event of a major disaster declaration, all counties
within the declared State are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program. Some declarations will provide only individual assistance or only public
assistance. Hazard mitigation opportunities are assessed in most situations.
Individual Assistance (IA) - Aid to individuals, families and business owners. The crisis
counseling program is provided through this: State Mental Health Authorities’ Response
to Terrorism 68.
Immediate Services Application – The Immediate Services Application is an
application for funding for Immediate Services Crisis Counseling Program; this must be
submitted within 14 days of the Presidentially Declared Disaster and is eligible for
individual assistance.
Immediate Services Program (ISP) - A 60-day crisis counseling program funded by
FEMA. This is the initial phase of a Crisis Counseling Program, which includes screening
techniques, as well as outreach services such as public information and community
networking.
Incident Command System (ICS) – A management and process tool developed in
California for use in complex disasters involving more than one jurisdiction, agency or
response group. Originally used by First Responders to determine leadership and
management structure in complicated disasters. All agencies responding to disasters
should be trained in ICS. There is an online tutorial available at www.fema.gov An allhazards, functional incident management system that establishes common standards in
organization, terminology, and procedures and further provides a means (unified
command) for the establishment of a common set of incident objectives and strategies
during multi-agency /multi-jurisdiction operations while maintaining individual
agency/jurisdiction authority, responsibility, and accountability. The ICS is a component
of the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS).
Mass Casualty Event - More than 1,000 residents residing in all 21 counties in New
Jersey died in the World Trade Center attack. There was no local explosion or visible
damage. These citizens simply disappeared from their communities, their cars remained
at the train stations, they failed to pick up their children from daycare or school and they
never walked through the front door of their homes again. They were victims of a mass
casualty event as the horror unfolded at a specific point in time and the physical
destruction ended within a few hours.
Mass Exposure Event - Consider the anthrax exposures through the Brentwood Postal
Facility in Washington, D.C. and the Hamilton Postal Facility in New Jersey and their
impact on the workers and communities are examples of mass exposure events.
Mitigation - Mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency management. It's the ongoing
effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people’s lives and property through
damage prevention and flood insurance. Through measures such as building safely
within the floodplain or removing homes altogether; engineering buildings and
infrastructures to withstand earthquakes; and creating and enforcing effective building
codes to protect property from floods, hurricanes and other natural hazards, the impact
on lives and communities is lessened.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Formal written agreements delineating roles
and responsibilities between the parties to the agreement.
National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) Program - Part of the Strategic National
Stockpile
(SNS). The mission of CDC's National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) Program is to
ensure the availability of life-saving pharmaceuticals, antidotes and other medical
supplies and equipment necessary to counter the effects of nerve agents, biological
pathogens and chemical agents. The NPS Program stands ready for immediate
deployment to any U.S. location in the event of a terrorist attack using a biological, toxin,
or chemical agent directed against a civilian population. The NPS is comprised of
pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical supplies, and medical equipment that exist to
augment depleted state and local re-sources for responding to terrorist attacks and other
emergencies. These packages are stored in strategic locations around the U.S. to
ensure rapid delivery anywhere in the country. Following the federal decision to deploy,
the NPS will typically arrive by air or ground in two phases. The first phase shipment is
called a 12-hour Push Package. “12” because it will arrive in 12-hours or less, “push”
because a state need only ask for help—not for specific items, and State Mental Health
Authorities’ Response to Terrorism 70 “package” because the Program will ship a
complete package of medical material—to include nearly everything a state will need to
respond to a broad range of threats. Also available are inventory supplies known as
Vendor Managed Inventory, or VMI packages. VMI packages can be tailored to provide
pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical supplies and/or medical products specific to the
suspected or confirmed agent or combination of agents. A CDC team of five or six
technical advisors will also deploy at the same time as the first shipment. Known as a
Technical Advisory Response Unit (TARU), this team is comprised of pharmacists,
emergency responders, and logistics experts that will advise local authorities on
receiving, distributing, dispensing, replenishing, and recovering NPS materiel. For more
information about the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, contact the NPS Program at
404-639-0459.
Non-Presidentially Declared Disasters (Non-PDD) – A Non-PDD is a disaster or
emergency of any magnitude, which does not receive a proclamation of Presidentially
Declared Disaster.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - A psychiatric disorder caused by
experiencing or witnessing a life threatening event that results in prolonged emotional
distress. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychological disorder that can
occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military
combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal
assaults like rape. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through
nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged, and
these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the
person's daily life.
Public Assistance - Aid to public (and certain private non-profit) entities for certain
emergency services and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities.
Preparedness - Preparedness ensures that if disaster occurs, people are ready to get
through it safely, and respond to it effectively. Whether you're an individual citizen, a
crisis worker group or a government agency, preparedness means figuring out what
you'll do if essential services break down, developing a plan for contingencies, and
practicing the plan.
Presidentially Declared Disaster (PDD) – A PDD is any natural catastrophe (including
any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind driven water, tidal wave, tsunami,
volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought) or, regardless of cause,
any fire, flood, or explosion, which in the determination of the President, causes damage
of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under the
Federal Disaster Relief Act. The PDD grant is intended to supplement the efforts and
available resources of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in
alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering.
Prevention - Not all emergencies and disasters can be prevented. But there are some
that can. For example, most chemical explosions and hazardous materials spills can be
prevented. Many fires are also preventable, and fire prevention is an important objective
of the United States Fire Administration (USFA). USFA engages in many activities to
encourage fire prevention. Examples of its most important prevention activities are to
educate the public on what to do to prevent fires (“install smoke detectors,” “use space
heaters safely”) and help the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) providers
conduct their own public education efforts.
OEM - Office of Emergency Management
OEP - Office of Emergency Preparedness
Rapid Assessment Unit (RAU) - A unit of the DEM that performs initial damage
assessments following a disaster or emergency.
Regular Services Program (RSP) - A nine month crisis counseling program that is
federally funded through CMHS. A Regular Services Program is a continuing portion of
a Crisis Counseling Program designed to provide crisis counseling, community outreach,
and consultation and education services to people affected by the disaster for the
purpose of relieving continued emotional problems caused by the disaster. Funding is
available for a period of 9 months beyond the 60 days of an Immediate Service Program
for purposes of providing disaster crisis counseling services.
Recovery - The task of rebuilding after a disaster can take months, even years. Not only
services and infrastructure, not only the facilities and operations, but the lives and
livelihoods of many thousands of people may be affected. Federal loans and grants can
help. Funds are used to rebuild homes, businesses and public facilities, to clear debris
and repair roads and bridges, and to restore water, sewer, and other essential services.
Research shows that psychological interventions may be needed from three to five years
following the impact.
Response - Begins as soon as a disaster is detected or threatens. It involves mobilizing
and positioning emergency equipment; getting people out of danger; providing needed
food, water, shelter and medical services; and bringing damaged services and systems
back on line. Local responders, government agencies, and private organizations take
action. Sometimes the destruction goes beyond local and state capabilities. That's when
federal help is needed as well.
Risk Reduction - Viewed broadly, risk reduction is the goal of all mitigation efforts.
FEMA reduces the cost and damage of flood disasters through the Federal Insurance
Administration (FIA). The FIA partners with national insurance companies to provide
affordable flood insurance, available nationwide. Communities become eligible for such
insurance by enforcing floodplain management practices. As communities require
individuals and businesses to comply with these guidelines, the risk of damage and
injury is reduced.
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act – Public Law 93288, as amended (P.L. 100-707); an act intended to provide an orderly and continuing
means of assistance by the federal government to state and local government in
carrying out their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage which results
from disaster/emergencies.
State Coordinator - DEM employee who is federal counterpart at the disaster field
office and in charge of the State's response.
State Emergency Management Council - Comprised of 33 state agencies that prepare
for and respond to state declared emergencies.
State Emergency Response Team (SERT) - Team comprised of state agency
representatives that are responsible for rapid deployment and immediate response to
disasters and emergencies for the state
State Operations Center (SOC) - Emergency operations center for the state. Located
at Department of Public Safety.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Division
of the US Department of Health and Human Services responsible for the Emergency
Services and Disaster Relief Branch; created to focus attention, programs, and funding
on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse
disorders.
Terrorism – As defined by the FBI, terrorism is the unlawful use of force against
persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any
segment thereof, in the furtherance of political or social objectives.” This definition
includes three elements: terrorist activities are illegal and involve the use of force, the
actions are intended to intimidate or coerce, and the actions are committed in support of
political or social objectives.
The Disaster Declaration Process: The Stafford Act (§401 and 501) requires that: “All
requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster or emergency exists
shall be made by the Governor [chief executive] of the affected State.” A State also
includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Governor's request is made
through the regional FEMA office. State, local, and Federal officials conduct a
preliminary damage assessment (PDA) to estimate the extent of the disaster and its
impact on individuals and public facilities. The information gathered during the PDA
documents the severity and magnitude of the event and is included in the Governor's
request. Normally, the PDA is completed prior to the submission of the Governor's
request. However, when an obviously severe or catastrophic event occurs, the
Governor's request may be submitted prior to the PDA. Nonetheless, the Governor must
still make the request and damage assessments are still conducted. Based on the
Governor's request, the President may declare that a major disaster or emergency
exists, thus activating an array of Federal programs to assist in the response and
recovery effort. The determination of which programs are activated is based on the
needs found during the joint preliminary damage assessment and any subsequent
information that may be discovered. Federal disaster assistance available under a major
disaster declaration falls into three general categories. However, not all programs are
activated for every disaster.
VOAD (pronounced ‘voh-ad’; Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) or
NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) – This is a nationwide coalition that is compromised of individual member organizations that typically
specialize in an aspect of disaster response. Different organizations often have different
specialty areas, so that by working in concert, they are able to provide a range of
services with little duplication.
WMD - Weapons of Mass Destruction.